This lengthened, but we hope not ill-timed reference to our whole course of Twenty Volumes has left us but little occasion to speak of the present portion, individually; although we trust this reference would be somewhat supererogatory, from the unusual number of Illustrations, and a copious Index to the main subjects, of the volume.

To conclude.  We thank all Correspondents for their contributions, and invite their cordial co-operation with our ensuing efforts.  So now “plaudite! valete!”

December 26, 1832.

[Footnote 1:  Bracebridge Hall, vol. i.]

* * * * *

[Illustration]

* * * * *

NOTICES

OF

Washington Irving, Esq.

And his works.

* * * * *

Washington Irving was born, in the State of New York, in the year 1782, and is, consequently, in his fifty-first year.  His early life cannot better be told than in his own graceful language, prefixed to the most celebrated of his writings as “the author’s account of himself.”

“I was always fond of visiting new scenes, and observing strange characters and manners.  Even when a mere child I began my travels, and made many tours of discovery into foreign parts and unknown regions of my native city, to the frequent alarm of my parents, and the emolument of the town-crier.  As I grew into boyhood I extended the range of my observations.  My holiday afternoons were spent in rambles about the surrounding country.  I made myself familiar with all its places famous in history or fable.  I knew every spot where a murder or robbery had been committed, or a ghost seen.  I visited the neighbouring villages, and added greatly to my stock of knowledge, by noting their habits and customs, and conversing with their sages and great men.  I even journeyed one long summer’s day to the summit of the most distant hill, from whence I stretched my eye over many a mile of terra incognita, and was astonished to find how vast a globe I inhabited.

“This rambling propensity strengthened with my years.  Books of voyages and travels became my passion, and in devouring their contents, I neglected the regular exercises of the school.  How wistfully would I wander about the pier heads in fine weather, and watch the parting ships bound to distant climes; with what longing eyes would I gaze after their lessening sails; and waft myself in imagination to the ends of the earth.